Suspension Adjustment Actuator Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a body, an actuator assembly and an actuator control assembly. The actuator assembly includes a lever arm in pivoting engagement with the body about a pivot axis spaced apart from an axis of a handlebar to which the body is attached. The lever arm is associated with a suspension adjust cable. The actuator control assembly includes a locking assembly and an adjustment assembly. The locking assembly is associated with each of the body and the actuator assembly. The locking assembly is capable of preventing pivoting of the actuator relative to the body in a first position corresponding to a first suspension setting. The adjustment assembly is associated with each of the body and the actuator assembly. The adjustment assembly is capable of preventing pivoting of the actuator relative to the body in a second position corresponding to a second suspension setting.

This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/707,019, filed Nov. 14, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to suspension adjusters forhandlebar-steered vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates toa suspension adjustment actuator apparatus that facilitates theselective adjustment of the suspension of a handlebar-steered vehiclerepeatedly between a first suspension setting and a second, useradjustable, suspension setting.

Handlebar-steered vehicles, and in particular bicycles, haveincreasingly relied upon hydraulic suspensions. For example, bicyclescommonly feature a front suspension comprising a pair of hydraulicdampers attached to either end of the axle of the front wheel. Similarsingle damper configurations are used on rear suspensions. Suchsuspension systems have greatly enhanced the ride characteristics ofbicycles and the variety of terrain that can be traversed.

Some suspension systems are adjustable. For example, the suspension canbe adjusted between a firmer setting (wherein the suspension isrelatively rigid) and a softer setting (wherein the suspension ispermitted a predetermined amount of travel). Certain systems permit “onthe fly” adjustment by a rider during operation of the bicycle.Actuators have been developed to facilitate adjustment of suspensionsystems during operation of a bicycle by the rider.

While such suspension systems have been developed, there have beendrawbacks. For example, difficulties have been encountered with on thefly actuator systems. For example, prior art solutions often include anadjustment lever or selector that can be positioned to a plurality ofdiscrete, predetermined factory settings. While multiple settings arepermitted, it is often difficult for a rider to adjust the suspension toa desired setting on the fly; often a setting is inadvertently reachedthat is either too rigid or too soft. Moreover, with multiple possiblesettings, it becomes difficult to quickly and repeatedly switch betweentwo particular settings, typically, a desired firm setting, and adesired soft setting. Moreover, it is often difficult or not possible tovary the desired soft setting from the available factory presets. Evenwhen some degree of user adjustment is provided, changes using theadjustment mechanism often undesirably affect all of the settings. Thus,an adjustment to one setting disrupts another setting.

Moreover, prior art devices generally do not place the suspensionactuator or control device in a position that permits comfortable, safeand fast operation by a rider with minimal effort and distraction. Forexample, certain solutions rely on user actuation at a location close tothe suspension shock itself, remote from the customary position of arider's hands on the handlebar. Thus, typically, a rider must remove onehand from the handlebar to operate the actuator. Other solutions includea plurality of settings that are difficult to repeatedly operate duringa ride. During a treacherous portion of a ride, improper suspensionadjustment may lead to loss of control and injury.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a suspension actuatorthat can be switched between a first suspension setting and a secondvariable suspension setting.

It is another object of the invention to provide a suspension actuatorthat permits rider adjustment of the second suspension setting, a givensetting permitting a precise amount of suspension travel.

These and other objects of the present invention ill become apparent inlight of the specification and claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention is directed to a suspension adjustment actuator apparatusfor use in adjusting the suspension of a handlebar-steered vehicle. Inone aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a body, an actuatorassembly and an actuator control assembly. The body is attachable to ahandlebar of the handlebar-steered vehicle. The actuator assemblyincludes a lever arm in pivoting engagement with the body about a pivotaxis that is typically spaced apart from an axis of the handlebar. Thelever arm is connected to a suspension adjustment cable. The actuatorcontrol assembly includes a locking assembly and an adjustment assembly.The locking assembly is associated with each of the body and theactuator assembly and is configured to prevent pivoting of the actuatorassembly relative to the body in a first position corresponding to afirst suspension setting. The adjustment assembly is likewise associatedwith each of the body and the actuator assembly, and is configured toprevent pivoting of the actuator assembly relative to the body in asecond position corresponding to a second suspension setting.Advantageously, the second suspension setting is user adjustable throughthe adjustment assembly, independently of the first suspension setting.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking assembly further comprises alocking guide surface and a locking follower assembly. The locking guidesurface is disposed on one of the actuator assembly and the body andincludes a locking region. The locking follower assembly includes afollower pin and the follower actuator, the follower pin being capableof engagement with the locking region of the locking guide surface. Thelocking follower assembly is associated with the other of the actuatorassembly and the body. The follower actuator includes the follower pinemanating therefrom and is capable of disengaging the follower pin fromthe locking region of the locking guide surface.

In another embodiment of the invention, the locking follower assemblyfurther comprises a biasing member associated with the followeractuator. The biasing member is capable of biasing the follower pin intoengagement with the locking region of the locking guide surface.Preferably, the locking guide surface is disposed on the lever arm ofthe actuator assembly and the locking follower assembly is associatedwith the body.

In another embodiment of the invention, the adjustment assembly furthercomprises an adjustment guide surface and an adjustment followerassembly. The adjustment guide surface is disposed on one of the bodyand the actuator assembly. The adjustment follower assembly is disposedon the other of the body and the actuator assembly and includes anadjustment screw and an adjustment follower. The adjustment screwincludes a threadform disposed thereon. The adjustment follower includesa matingly engaging threadform disposed thereon and a pin emanatingtherefrom. The adjustment follower is substantially prevented fromrotation relative to the other of the body and the actuator assembly, toin turn, facilitate translation of the adjustment follower relative tothe adjustment screw, upon rotation of the adjustment screw.

In one such preferred embodiment, the adjustment screw further includesan adjustment wheel associated therewith, wherein rotation of theadjustment wheel imparts rotation to the adjustment screw. Preferably,the adjustment guide surface is disposed on the lever arm of theactuator assembly and the adjustment follower assembly is associatedwith the body.

In one embodiment, the pivot axis of the lever arm is substantiallyparallel with an axis of the handlebar, to in turn, facilitate theactuation of the lever arm with a thumb or other finger of a rider'shand or any other portion thereof. In another such embodiment, the leverarm further includes a cable securing assembly and an actuation tab. Inone such embodiment, the cable moment arm created by the cable securingassembly and the pivot axis is smaller than the actuation moment armcreated by the actuation tab and the pivot axis.

In another embodiment, the body includes an attachment assembly having aring clamp capable of concentric position about a handlebar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is top plan view of the suspension adjustment actuator apparatusof the present invention, showing, in particular, the apparatus mountedto a handlebar;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the suspension adjustment actuatorapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the presentinvention, taken generally about lines A-A of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the presentinvention, showing in particular, the components of the inventionincluding a first side of the actuator assembly;

FIG. 4 a is an enlarged view of an adjustment follower of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second side of the actuator assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms,there is shown in the drawings, and will be described in detail, aspecific embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosureis exemplary of the principles of the invention and is not intended tolimit the invention to the illustrated embodiment.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, are identified throughout the figures by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thefigures are merely schematic representations of a first embodiment ofthe invention, and that some of the components may have been distortedfrom their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

A suspension adjustment actuator apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1comprising a body 12, an actuator assembly 14, and an actuator controlassembly 16. As shown in more detail in FIG. 4, the body 12 includes ahousing 20 and an attachment assembly 22. In turn, the housing 20includes opposing housing portions 30, 31 which are joined together, forexample, by fasteners 32, 34. The fastened housing portions 30, 31collectively define a cavity 33. It will be understood that a number ofdifferent configurations are contemplated for the housing 20, and anumber of different materials are contemplated, including but notlimited to, metals, plastics, composites and the like.

The attachment assembly 22 comprises a ring clamp 36 and fastener 40.The ring clamp 36 shown includes a first end 38 connected to the housingportion 30 and a second end 39 that is unsupported to facilitatemounting of the actuator apparatus 10 onto the handlebar 100. While notrequired, in the embodiment shown, the ring clamp 36 is formed integralwith the housing 20. As will be understood, the ring clamp 36 ispreferably mounted coaxially onto the handlebars 100, preferablyproximate a brake actuator and/or a gear shift actuator. Subsequently, afastener 40 is tightened to secure the ring clamp 36 onto the handlebars100. Of course, other assemblies for attaching the apparatus 10 to thehandlebar are contemplated, including other releasable as well aspermanent attachment assemblies. Additionally, it will be understoodthat the invention is not limited to a particular location ororientation of the apparatus 10 on the handlebars 100.

The actuator assembly 14 is shown in FIG. 4 as comprising a lever arm 24which is pivotally retained or sandwiched between the housing portions30, 31 to permit pivotal motion about a pivot axis 44. Preferably, thepivot axis 44 is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from an axis104 defined by the handlebars 100. Of course, other oblique angles andspaced relationships between the pivot axis 44 and handlebar axis 104are contemplated by the invention. The preferred arrangement facilitatesoperation by the thumb or other finger'of a rider's hand, preferablywithout removing the rider's hand from the handlebars. Alternatively,any portion of the rider's hand may be used to operate the apparatus 10.

Lever arm 24 includes a cable securing portion 42 and preferably anactuator tab 46, including an extension 84 to facilitate actuation byany digit or portion of a rider's hand. The cable securing portion 42 isconfigured to retain one end of a control cable 102 (FIG. 1) whichcontrols the operation of the suspension device (not shown). It will beunderstood that the control cable 102 is generally tensioned. Morespecifically, the cable securing portion 42 includes an eyelet 80 forretaining said one end of the control cable 102. It will be understoodthat the cable 102 is preferably threaded through the housing portions30, 31 and extends through the eyelet 80. Additionally, the lever arm 24is fitted with a channel 82 that preferably positions the cable 102 ontothe lever arm 24 and serves as a guide for the cable within the cavity33.

To provide sufficient mechanical advantage for lever operation in theembodiment shown, the moment arm MA₁ defined by the perpendiculardistance between the cable securing assembly 42 and the pivot axis 44 issmaller than the moment arm MA₂ defined by the perpendicular distancebetween the actuator tab 46 and the pivot axis 44. With a largeractuator tab moment arm MA₂, the force required by the user to actuatethe lever arm 24 and change the suspension setting is further reduced.

The actuator control assembly 16 is shown in FIGS. 1-5 as comprising alocking assembly 26 and an adjustment assembly 28. It will be understoodthat the actuator control assembly 16 is configured to facilitate riderpositioning of the lever arm 24 in a first position 21 corresponding toa first suspension setting (in a preferred embodiment, a substantiallyrigid suspension setting with little travel), as well as facilitatingrider positioning of the lever arm 24 in a second position 23corresponding to a second suspension setting (in a preferred embodiment,a softer setting than the first suspension setting wherein thesuspension is permitted a predetermined amount of travel). In theembodiment shown, downward pivotal motion of the lever arm 24 by therider locates the lever arm in the first position 21, while upwardpivotal motion of the lever arm locates the lever arm in the secondposition 23. Additionally, in the embodiment shown, the control cable102 preferably biases the lever arm 24 in the second position 23.

It will further be explained that the second position of the lever arm24, corresponding to the second suspension setting, is infinitelyadjustable by the rider within the range provided, such that a rider canpre-select, and subsequently re-adjust, the second suspension setting asdesired. Advantageously, the rider can then easily switch or cyclebetween the first and second suspension settings. Moreover, the ridercan cycle between these settings with minimal movement of the rider'shand from its natural riding position on the handlebar.

More specifically, the locking assembly 26 is shown in FIG. 4 ascomprising a locking guide surface 50 and a locking follower assembly52. The locking guide surface 50 includes a travel region 53 and alocking region 54. Preferably, the locking region 54 comprises a detentor notch in the locking guide surface 50. Preferably, the locking guidesurface 50 is disposed on a side of the lever arm 24. In the embodimentshown, the guide surface 50 is molded into the side of the lever arm 24.

The locking follower assembly 52 is likewise shown in FIG. 4 ascomprising a follower pin 56, a follower actuator 58, and a biasingmember 60. The follower pin 56 is preferably disposed on the followeractuator 58. The follower actuator 58 is positioned within a bore 86 ofthe housing 20 such that the follower pin 56 slidably interfaces withthe locking guide surface 50. In the embodiment shown, the follower pin56 also interfaces with the housing 20 to retain the follower actuator58 within the bore 86. The biasing member 60 is provided within the bore86 to bias the follower pin 56 against the guide surface 50 and intoengagement with the locking position 54. Rider actuation of the biasedfollower actuator 58, which in the embodiment shown is in the form of apush-button, overcomes the force of the biasing member 60 to displacethe follower pin 56 away from the guide surface 50 and, specifically,out of engagement with the locking position 54. In the embodiment shown,biasing member 60 comprises a coil spring 62. Of course, other biasingmembers and methods for biasing the follower pin 56 against the guidesurface 50 are contemplated. Although in the embodiment shown, thelocking guide surface 50 is disposed on the lever arm 24 and the lockingfollower assembly 52 is associated with the body 12, it is to beunderstood that in an alternative embodiment, the locking guide surfacemay be disposed on the body 12 while the follower assembly 52 may beassociated with the lever arm 24.

The adjustment assembly 28 is shown in FIGS. 4-5 as comprising anadjustment guide surface 64 and an adjustment follower assembly 66. Inthe embodiment shown, the adjustment guide surface 64 is disposed on thelever arm 24. The adjustment follower assembly 66 comprises anadjustment screw 68 and an adjustment follower 70. The adjustment screw68 includes a threadform 74 and an adjustment wheel 76 attached to anend of the adjustment screw.

The adjustment follower 70 is shown in FIG. 4 as comprising a pin 78 anda carrier 81. The carrier 81 includes a threadform 79 configured tomatingly engage the threadform 74 of the adjustment screw 68 (see FIG. 4a). The adjustment follower 70 is configured to translate but notrotate, preferably within a bore 88 of body 12, while the adjustmentscrew is configured to rotate but not translate within the same bore 88,such that as the adjustment screw 68 is rotated, follower 70 translatesalong the adjustment screw, and in turn, along the bore 88. Theadjustment guide surface 64 is configured to contact the pin 78 of theadjustment follower 70 when the actuator assembly 14 is in the secondposition. The position of the adjustment follower 70 within the bore 88of the body 12 can be variably adjusted by the rider, by rotating theadjustment screw 68 to a desired second position of the lever arm 24,and in turn, a desired second suspension setting.

The operation of the apparatus 10 will be described with the lever arm24 initially positioned in the first position corresponding to the firstsuspension setting. The follower pin 56 is biased into engagement withthe locking position 54 of the locking guide surface 50 to retain thelever arm 24 in the first position. So positioned, the lever arm 24 isprevented from pivoting about pivot axis 44 and the suspension is lockedin the first suspension setting wherein the suspension device ispreferably substantially rigid, providing little to no suspensiontravel. While in this substantially rigid setting, the rider's pedalingenergy is most efficiently transmitted to the pedals, with little to norider energy being wasted in the bobbing motion of the bicycle. It willbe understood that certain safety features of the suspension device, forexample a bypass valve, may remain functional when the suspension is inthe firm setting. In other words, the suspension may instantaneouslybecome non rigid to absorb a large jarring impact on the suspension inthe interest of rider safety, and to prevent permanent damage to thesuspension device.

While riding, the rider may adjust the suspension from the firstsuspension setting to a softer second suspension setting, where apredetermined amount of suspension travel is permitted. To change thesetting, the rider merely depresses the follower actuator in thisembodiment, pushbutton 58 to disengage the follower pin 56 from thelocking region 54 of the guide surface 50. Once disengaged, the tensileforce of the cable 102 pivots the lever arm 24 about pivot axis 44 awayfrom engagement of the follower pin 56 with locking region 54, and intocontact of the adjustment guide surface 64 with the mating pin 78 of theadjustment follower 70, thereby placing the lever arm 24 in the secondlever position. The biasing force of the cable 102 maintains the leverarm 24 in the second lever position, and in turn, the second suspensionsetting.

Should the rider wish to return to the first suspension setting, hemerely pushes the actuator tab 46 of the lever arm 24 with any digitpreferably with the thumb—or any portion of his hand, to pivot the leverarm 24 in the opposite direction until the follower pin 56 is once againfirmly engaged in the locking position 54. As the lever arm 24 pivotsabout axis 44, the follower pin 56 travels along the travel region 53 ofthe locking guide surface 50 until reaching the locking region 54. Atsuch time, biasing member 60 biases the follower actuator 58, and inturn, the follower pin 56, into engagement with the locking region 54.The lever arm 24, now securely locked in the first position, isprevented from further pivoting to maintain the first suspensionsetting. Advantageously, this suspension change can be accomplishedquickly, with little rider effort, without moving the rider's hand fromthe handlebar, and without diverting the rider's attention from theterrain in front of him. As a further advantage, the rider is able toadjust the second suspension setting to any desired setting. Inparticular, by rotating the adjustment screw 68 to translate the pin 78of the adjustment follower 70 along the adjustment screw such that thepin 78 contacts the adjustment guide surface 64 in a new location,thereby bringing the lever arm 24 to rest in a different second positioncorresponding a new second suspension setting. By reversably rotatingthe adjustment wheel 76, the rider may selectively adjust the desiredsecond position of the lever arm 24 and in turn, the second suspensionsetting. The farther from the first position that the rider locates thesecond position of the lever arm 24, the softer the suspension setting.The rider may rotate the adjustment wheel 76 to the desired secondsuspension setting while the lever arm 24 is in the first position, oralternatively, while the lever arm is in the second position.

While this invention has been described by reference to a preferredembodiment, it should be understood that numerous changes could be madewithin the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to thedisclosed embodiment, but that it have the full scope permitted by thelanguage of the following claims.

1. A suspension adjustment actuator apparatus for use in adjusting thesuspension of a handlebar-steered vehicle, the apparatus comprising: abody attachable to a handlebar of the handlebar-steered vehicle; anactuator assembly including a lever arm in pivoting engagement with thebody about a pivot axis spaced apart from an axis of the handlebar, thelever arm associated with a suspension adjust cable; and an actuatorcontrol assembly, the actuator control assembly including: a lockingassembly associated with each of the body and the actuator assembly, thelocking assembly preventing pivoting of the actuator assembly relativeto the body in a first locked position corresponding to a firstsuspension setting; and an adjustment assembly associated with each ofthe body and the actuator assembly, the adjustment assembly positioningthe actuator assembly relative to the body in a second end positioncorresponding to a second suspension setting, wherein the secondsuspension setting is adjustable within a range of alternative secondsuspension settings through the adjustment assembly independently of thefirst suspension setting, the actuator assembly repeatably switchablebetween the first locked position and the second end position.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first suspension setting issubstantially rigid.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lockingassembly further comprises: a locking guide surface having a lockingregion; a locking follower assembly including: a follower pin configuredto travel along the locking guide surface and capable of engagement withthe locking region of the locking guide surface; and a follower actuatorconfigured to release the follower pin from the locking region of thelocking guide surface, the locking guide surface disposed on one of theactuator assembly and the body, the locking follower assembly isassociated with the other of the actuator assembly and the body.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein the locking follower assembly furthercomprises a biasing member associated with the follower actuator, thebiasing member biasing the follower pin into engagement with the lockingregion of the locking guide surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 whereinthe locking guide surface is disposed on the lever arm of the actuatorassembly and the locking follower assembly is associated with the body.6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first suspension setting issubstantially rigid.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the adjustmentassembly further comprises: an adjustment guide surface disposed on oneof the body and the actuator assembly; an adjustment follower assemblyassociated with the other of the body and the actuator assembly, theadjustment follower assembly including: an adjustment screw having athreadform disposed thereon, the adjustment screw being translationallyfixed and rotatable relative to the other of the body and the actuatorassembly; and an adjustment follower having a threadform disposedthereon matingly engaged with the threadform disposed on the adjustmentscrew and a pin emanating therefrom, wherein the adjustment follower issubstantially prevented from rotation relative to the other of the bodyand the actuator assembly, to in turn, facilitate translation of theadjustment follower relative to the adjustment screw upon rotation ofthe adjustment screw, the pin on the adjustment follower configured toengage the adjustment guide surface to position the actuator assemblyrelative to the body in the second end position.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein the adjustment screw further includes an adjustmentwheel associated therewith, wherein rotation of the adjustment wheelimparts rotation to the adjustment screw.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7wherein the adjustment guide surface is disposed on the lever arm of theactuator assembly and the adjustment follower assembly is associatedwith the body.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first suspensionsetting is substantially rigid.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thepivot axis of the lever arm is substantially parallel with an axis ofthe handlebar, to in turn, facilitate the actuation of the lever armwith one of a digit and a hand of a user.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11wherein the lever arm further includes: a cable securing assembly; andan actuation tab.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a cable momentarm created by the cable securing assembly and the pivot axis is smallerthan an actuation moment arm created by the actuation tab and the pivotaxis.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first suspension settingis substantially rigid.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bodyfurther comprises an attachment assembly including a ring clamp capableof substantially concentric position about the handlebar.
 16. Asuspension adjustment actuator apparatus for use in adjusting asuspension of a handlebar-steered vehicle, the apparatus comprising: abody attachable to a handlebar of the handlebar steered vehicle; anactuator assembly including a lever arm in pivoting engagement with thebody about a pivot axis, the lever arm associated with a suspensionadjust cable, the actuator assembly having a first locked positioncorresponding to a first suspension setting and a second end positioncorresponding to a second suspension setting; and an actuator controlassembly including an adjustment assembly associated with each of thebody and the actuator assembly, the adjustment assembly positioning theactuator assembly relative to the body in the second end positioncorresponding to the second suspension setting, wherein the second endposition and corresponding second suspension setting are adjustablewithin a range of alternative second end positions and correspondingsecond suspension settings through the adjustment assembly independentlyof the first suspension setting, the actuator control assemblyconfigured to facilitate the repeated switching of the actuator assemblydirectly between the first locked position and any one of thealternative second end positions and corresponding second suspensionsettings, the actuator assembly repeatably switchable between the firstlocked position and the second end position.
 17. The apparatus of claim16 wherein the actuator control assembly further includes a lockingassembly configured to prevent movement of the lever arm of the actuatorassembly relative to the body in the first locked position.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17 wherein the locking assembly includes apush-button associated with the body, the push-button operable torelease the lever arm from the first locked position.
 19. The apparatusof claim 18 wherein the locking assembly further comprises: a lockingguide surface having a locking region; and a locking follower assemblyincluding the push-button with a follower pin disposed thereon, thefollower pin configured to be releasably positionable within the lockingregion of the locking guide surface.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19wherein the locking follower assembly further comprises a biasing memberassociated with the push-button, the biasing member biasing the followerpin into engagement with the locking region of the locking guidesurface.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the first suspensionsetting is substantially rigid.
 22. (canceled)
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 16 wherein the adjustment assembly comprises an adjustment guidesurface and a translationally adjustable mating pin configured to engagethe adjustment guide surface.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein theadjustment assembly further comprises: an adjustment screw beingtranslationally fixed and rotatable relative to the body and having athreadform disposed thereon; and an adjustment follower having athreadform disposed thereon matingly engaged with the threadformdisposed on the adjustment screw, the mating pin disposed on theadjustment follower, the adjustment follower being rotatively fixedrelative to the body, whereby rotation of the adjustment screwtranslates the adjustment follower, and in turn the mating pin, alongthe adjustment screw.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the firstsuspension setting is substantially rigid.
 26. The apparatus of claim 16wherein the pivot axis of the lever arm is substantially parallel to andspaced apart from an axis of the handlebar.